Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. Being a young city (founded only in 1857) it developed fast into a bustling metropolis of 1.5 million people (6 million including the satellite cities in the Klang Valley). Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL (as it is it called by Malaysians), literally means “muddy estuary” in Bahasa Malaysia. With good and cheap accommodation, great shopping and even better food in this multi-cultural melting pot, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city.
Having been in the shadow of other big cities in the region like Bangkok and Singapore, KL was put back on the map for good with the opening the Petronas Twin Towers in 1997, until 2004 the highest and still one of the most impressive buildings in the world. Though, the sights are not what makes this city unique, it’s KL itself and it’s mixture of people and visitors.

Pulau Redang

Pulau Redang (or Redang Island) is a beautiful tropical island off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia in the state of Terengganu. Most travellers visiting Redang come on pre-booked packages from one of the resorts on the island. It is a more up-market destination than Perhentian Islands.

Petaling Street (Chinatown)

address: Jalan Petaling, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Chinatown in KL is one of the oldest parts of city. The main attractions is the roofed street market along Petaling Street which is popular for selling for fake branded goods like bags, shoes, clothes and watches.

The street market on Jalan Petaling is open every day from 10am until around 11pm in the evening. Most stalls sell pretty much the same items so it keeps repeating after a while. That means you have the chance to haggle down the prices quite a bit because of competition (up to 70% if you are talented in negotiating). Most common items on sale are - almost entirely pirated versions of - branded watches, handbags, t-shirts, shoes, belts and DVDs.
There are also a few good places to get Chinese food in the area.
Chinatown and the surrounding area is very lively, especially Petaling Street itself with the narrow space between the stalls can be overcrowded, during the day until about 11pm when the street market closest. After that the area turns quiet.

Getting There
Chinatown is centrally located closed to the old colonial centre around Merdeka Square. From Bukit Bintang you can walk here in about 15min or take the Monorail to Maharajalela station which is around the corner of the southern end Petaling Street. If you are coming from KL Sentral or KLCC, you can take the LRT and get off at Pasar Seni. The Pasar Seni station is just to the west of Chinatown.

street market near Petaling Street selling fake designer items like on this picture handbags and wallets

The Kuan Yin Temple just next to the Maharajalela Monorail station marks the southern beginning of Chinatown

a traditional 5-foot-way of a Chinese shophouse in the southern part of Petaling Street (in the distance you can see the gate to the street market)

Guan Di Temple on Jalan Tun HS Lee

Reggae Bar and the western entrance to the street market on Jalan Tun HS Lee